Scotland’s first World Cup win since 1990 was built on a deliberate shift in approach by manager Steve Clarke, with assistant coach Steven Naismith crediting increased family time and a more relaxed camp atmosphere for the team’s victory over Haiti in Boston.
Determined to avoid a repeat of the claustrophobic environment Scotland experienced at their Bavarian base during Euro 2024, the squad are based in Charlotte, North Carolina, for at least four weeks during this tournament. Clarke has actively encouraged players to spend their days off with family members rather than remaining solely focused on football throughout the camp.
Naismith said the change in approach reflected lessons learned from previous tournaments. “Before the tournament, there was so much work that went into it in terms of what players want and what they need, and what they didn’t like before,” he said. “The families have been brought closer and there’s a lot more family time, having periods of real hard work and then periods where they can go and relax. That takes the pressure valve off, where they’re not just constantly thinking about football. It’s worked well because I think you can see it with everybody. Everybody is just so focused because it’s a working day. Then they’ll have their down time when the time is right.”
Describing the days surrounding the Haiti match, Naismith said: “After the Haiti game we came back, had food and went to bed. Everyone was then up first thing to see their families for the day. That tells you everything about it. At previous tournaments there’s not been that aspect of just being a dad, being a husband, being a son. That’s not been there.” He noted that families were brought to the team’s hotel in Boston the Thursday before the match, something he said would not have happened at previous tournaments. “In previous times that wouldn’t have happened. We’d have felt we had to be so focused. But that subconscious focus all the time drains you. And what we’ve been doing has been working, so long may it continue.”
Naismith believes the time spent with family contributed to the players’ mindset heading into the match, and said the resulting win should boost confidence ahead of Scotland’s second group game against Morocco. “I think they’re more relaxed. We have ticked a few boxes and now have a win at a World Cup group stage. We have points,” he said. “I just think the longer you’re in the tournament, the familiarity increases and everything settles. I have played and been a coach in many games when that nervous energy has been there and we haven’t stood up to the challenge. But I think we did. It wasn’t our best performance. If you look at Bolivia the week before, that’s what we want to aim for. But we will take one game, one win.”
Morocco, semi-finalists in Qatar four years ago, made an immediate impact at this tournament by taking a point off Brazil in New Jersey. Despite facing a side widely regarded as stronger than Haiti, Naismith believes Scotland are well equipped for the challenge. “In some respects, it will suit us better,” he said. “Maybe you will have more time on the ball initially when we regain possession, to get a bit of a feel for the game, whereas Haiti were on you. As soon as that turnover happened they just tried to nick the ball.”
There are no fresh injury concerns following the Haiti match, with Naismith confirming that Scott McKenna, who sat out the opener, is progressing well. “Confidence is high,” Naismith added. “We’ve played well, we’ve won the game. It puts us in a nice position and now it’s about how we push on from that.”
